submerge

verb

sub·​merge səb-ˈmərj How to pronounce submerge (audio)
submerged; submerging
Synonyms of submerge

transitive verb

1
: to put under water
2
: to cover or overflow with water
3
: to make obscure or subordinate : suppress
personal lives submerged by professional responsibilities

intransitive verb

: to go under water
submergence
səb-ˈmər-jən(t)s How to pronounce submerge (audio)
noun
submergible
səb-ˈmər-jə-bəl How to pronounce submerge (audio)
adjective

Synonyms of submerge

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Examples of submerge in a Sentence

After boiling the broccoli, submerge it in ice water to stop the cooking process. The town was submerged by the flood. We watched as the divers prepared to submerge. She's a marvelous actress who submerges herself totally in her roles.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Notably for Monticello, the stone Putah Creek Bridge that dates to 1896, submerged deep under Lake Berryessa, has been visited by SCUBA divers. — Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 6 Sep. 2026 And cultural touchstones are everywhere, like a jar of agua fresca in which a head is submerged at the birthday celebration, and a quinceañera tiara and scepter embedded in a victim. — Eve Chen, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2026 Tyler had previously found submerged trees and brush in the area, and the water was roughly 25 to 30 feet deep. — Amber Harding Outkick, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2026 Cut a six-inch stem tip from a healthy plant and remove all but the top two leaves, then submerge in water or pot into a small container with potting mix. — Alexandra Jones, The Spruce, 30 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for submerge

Word History

Etymology

Latin submergere, from sub- + mergere to plunge — more at merge

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of submerge was in the 15th century

Rhymes for submerge

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Browse Nearby Words

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submerge
submerged
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Cite this Entry

“Submerge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/submerge. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

submerge

verb
sub·​merge səb-ˈmərj How to pronounce submerge (audio)
submerged; submerging
1
: to put or go underwater
the whale submerged
2
: to cover or become covered with or as if with water
floods submerged the town
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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